UK Universities Reject Elsevier Deal: Impacts and Future of Open Access

🎓 The Rising Tide of UK Universities Opting Out of Elsevier Deals

In a significant development shaking the academic publishing landscape, several prominent UK universities have chosen to decline the new Elsevier Read and Publish (R&P) agreement for 2026. Institutions such as the Universities of Sheffield, Lancaster, Surrey, Essex, Kent, and Sussex, along with the University of York, have publicly confirmed they will not renew their subscriptions to Elsevier's vast portfolio of journals. This decision comes amid intense financial scrutiny across the higher education sector, highlighting broader frustrations with escalating costs and the pace of transition to open access publishing.

These moves mark a continuation of earlier actions, as Sheffield, Surrey, and York had already terminated their previous Elsevier deal at the start of 2025. The collective opt-outs signal a potential 'silent decoupling' where more universities may quietly forgo these expensive 'big deals' without fanfare. For context, Elsevier, a subsidiary of RELX, publishes over 2,800 journals, including high-impact titles like Cell and The Lancet, making access crucial for researchers yet increasingly burdensome for budgets.

This wave of rejections underscores a pivotal moment for UK higher education, where institutions are prioritizing fiscal responsibility while pushing for more equitable scholarly communication models. Researchers at these universities can still access materials through interlibrary loans, often within 30 minutes, demonstrating resilience in the face of reduced direct subscriptions.

Understanding Read and Publish Agreements: The Backbone of Modern Academic Publishing

To grasp the significance of these decisions, it's essential to understand what Read and Publish (R&P) agreements entail. These transformative deals, negotiated nationally by Jisc—the UK's higher education technology and research organization—combine traditional subscription fees for reading journal articles with allocations for Article Processing Charges (APCs). APCs are fees paid by authors or their institutions to make articles openly accessible, meaning anyone worldwide can read them without paywalls.

R&P emerged as a hybrid solution during the open access (OA) revolution, spurred by initiatives like Europe's Plan S, which mandates publicly funded research be freely available by 2021 (with extensions). In the UK, Jisc has led nine-month negotiations with the 'big five' publishers—Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, and Sage—culminating in deals announced in December 2025 for 2026 onward. These agreements promise savings compared to historic pricing on the sector's £112 million annual spend but have been deemed unaffordable by opting-out universities due to local price hikes.

Historically, UK universities paid Elsevier around 34% of their journal budgets in 2019, with total sector expenditure exceeding £50 million yearly for Elsevier alone in recent years. Critics argue R&P sustains high publisher profits—RELX's scientific division reported £1.17 billion in adjusted operating profit in 2024 with a 38% margin—while universities grapple with deficits.

Key Universities and Their Rationales for Rejection

Leading the charge are research-intensive institutions facing acute budget constraints:

• University of Sheffield: Deemed the deal 'financially unsustainable,' prioritizing renewals with the other four big publishers. Elsevier consumed 12% of their content budget in 2023/24.
• University of Lancaster: Confirmed non-renewal while securing deals with Sage, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, and Wiley.
• University of Surrey: Followed its 2025 exit, citing value-for-money reviews.
• University of Essex: Rejected due to 'unacceptable price increases' and Elsevier's reluctance to commit to sustainable OA models; will monitor usage and explore alternatives.
• University of Kent: Redirecting released funds to researcher-focused OA, including APC support for Elsevier journals if needed.
• University of Sussex: Opted out quietly, focusing on other publisher agreements.
• University of York: Library site indicates no access, aligning with prior actions.

These decisions were made at senior management levels after rigorous analysis, with librarians noting, 'We knew we couldn’t afford the Elsevier deal' despite Jisc's strong national terms.

Photo by Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash

📊 Financial Strains Plaguing UK Higher Education

The UK higher education sector is under immense pressure, with many universities posting operating deficits amid stagnant tuition fees, declining international enrollments, and rising operational costs. Library budgets, often 5-10% of total expenditure, are prime targets for cuts. Big deals like Elsevier's represent a substantial portion—up to 30% of some libraries' content budgets.

Sector-wide, universities sought 5-15% reductions on the £112 million big five spend. While Jisc claims market-leading savings, individual institutions like those opting out face deals equivalent to a vice-chancellor's salary (£330k annually for mid-sized unis). Broader context includes pension liabilities and infrastructure needs, forcing annual subscription audits.

This isn't isolated; similar pushback occurred in 2021 when the sector rejected Elsevier's offer, echoing global actions like Germany's Projekt DEAL and UC system's standoffs, which yielded better terms through collective bargaining.

Impacts on Researchers: Access, Publishing, and Adaptation Strategies

For researchers, losing direct Elsevier access means relying on alternatives:

• Interlibrary loans from subscribing peers (e.g., Oxford, Cambridge), often rapid.
• Green OA: Self-archiving preprints in repositories like institutional ones or arXiv.
• APCs funded centrally for high-priority publications.
• Shift to other publishers with renewed deals.

Early adoptees like Sheffield reported minimal disruption, with researchers adapting seamlessly. However, challenges include tracking publication fees and potential career impacts in Elsevier-heavy fields. Actionable advice: Use tools like Unpaywall for free versions, prioritize OA-friendly journals, and engage in rights retention policies to retain copyright control.

For early-career researchers seeking stability, platforms like higher-ed-jobs offer opportunities at institutions navigating these changes effectively.

Elsevier's Viewpoint and the Publishing Ecosystem

Elsevier welcomes high sector uptake, noting collaboration with Jisc on equitable OA while offering case-by-case support to opt-outs. The company emphasizes tools for discovery and impact, defending its model amid criticisms of profiteering.

Balanced perspective: Publishers invest in peer review, editing, and infrastructure, but skyrocketing prices—US library budgets up 521% from 1986-2014—fuel reform calls. This UK shift could pressure better terms in upcoming negotiations.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

📈 Charting the Future: Next-Generation Open Access Deals

Looking ahead, Jisc launches 'next-generation' talks in March 2026, aiming beyond R&P to models like subscribe-to-OA transitions, avoiding volume-tied costs. Solutions include:

• Consortia diamond OA (no-fee community journals).
• National OA funds reallocating subscription savings.
• Policy mandates like UKRI's zero-embargo OA.

Positive outcomes: Cost savings reinvested in research, broader dissemination, and equity. Institutions opting out demonstrate feasibility, potentially inspiring more.

What This Means for Academic Careers in the UK

As publishing evolves, opportunities arise for adaptable scholars. Universities streamlining costs may hire more in research jobs and lecturer positions, valuing OA expertise. Explore tips for academic CVs to highlight interdisciplinary skills.

Share your experiences on Rate My Professor or browse university jobs to stay ahead.

In summary, UK universities rejecting the Elsevier deal exemplifies proactive stewardship amid challenges. By embracing alternatives, the sector paves the way for affordable, accessible knowledge. Visit higher-ed-jobs, rate-my-professor, and higher-ed-career-advice for resources, and join the conversation below.